Both Pope and the woman were plucked out of the water. Cops grabbed the woman, and a Parks Department worker threw a line to Parks and pulled him from the river.

“How many people would do that?” Grimley said. “I’m not a sugar plum…I’d be reluctant and I can swim.”

“This guy deserves something,” Grimley added. “"Maybe this is a guy that needs a new suit. Maybe it's a guy that needs a car payment. And if he doesn't need anything, we'll make a donation to the charity of his choice.”

Reached by The News, Pope said he was stunned to learn of Grimley’s generous offer.

“Oh wow!” said Pope, who lives in the Baruch Houses in the Lower East Side. “I’m definitely going to get in touch with him.”

Pope was adamant about what he needed most.

“I need a job,” he said.

The woman, who tried to swim away from her rescuers, was ultimately taken to lower Manhattan Hospital, where she was expected to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

A week after the incident, Pope had replaced his waterlogged cell phone. But he still found himself grappling with what compelled him to risk his life that day.